Needed: more treatmentOriginally published April 20, 2006Six years ago, California voters opted to put more low-level drug offenders in treatment rather than behind bars. Recent studies show that the decision paid off, saving the state millions of dollars in reduced prison costs, with no simultaneous spike in violent crime. Though similar drug offenses are handled somewhat differently in Maryland, the larger lesson still holds - nonviolent drug users and sellers need much more treatment.